Department of Mechanical Engineering from Zeal College of Engineering and Research organized 2 days national workshop from 14th December 2018 to 15th December 2018.

Dr. Anil K. Rajvanshi Director, Nibkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) Baramati was the chief guest and Prof. Dr. Ajit Kate, Principal, Zeal College of Engineering and Research was the guest of honour.

Dr. C. L. Prabhune Convener of the workshop had given the introduction about the workshop, schedule of the program. During the inaugural function Mr. Anil K. Rajvanshi enlightened the participants with the upcoming research and innovative ideas being worked out in the research institutes and industries. He has shared his experience in the field of solar energy development. Prof. Dr. Ajit Kate expressed his willingness to use this workshop as platform for bridging the gap between recent practices in industry and academic curriculum. He told that the zeal campus is a green campus as college has installed 120 kW capacity solar phovoltaic panels to generate self sufficient electric power. Prof. Dr. Amol Ubale, H.O.D Mechanical proposed the vote of thanks.

Dr. Anil K. Rajvanshi Director, NARI Baramati delivered his speech on Romance of Innovation- Promises of Solar Energy, particularly on need to follow nature’s solar strategy for sustainable development. He elaborated on fossil fuel mentality, solar powered petal collector, solar energy for water production. He explained how happiness is created through innovation. Innovation is like yoga, to reach goal all roadblocks and pinpricks become inconsequential. He told about challenges in efficient absorber refrigerant pair needed, ice producing machine, efficient ice box etc. There was very good interaction among the participants with him during the session.

Post Lunch session was conducted by Dr. Abhijeet Auti Principal, G. S. Moze College of Engineering and Research, Pune. He introduced about the solar thermal energy- resent advancement in solar collector technology. How to make design of parabolic trough collector, parabolic dish he nicely explained with case study. After tea break the Hands on Training session was organized. Dr. Omkar Wagh Director, Machinocraft, a channel partner of MNRE and MEDA, gave brief introduction about Solar PV system- Principles and Technology, about installation and maintenance of Solar rooftop, street light and water heater. He gave idea about general purpose toolbox, design considerations- latitude, sun angle, type of area- rooftop/ground mounted, shader analysis, solar pv module, inverter-DC/AC. Under his guidance and along-with his team all participants visited 120 kW on grid solar PV system which was installed in college campus. Right from module mounting structure, all components of the system, energy monitoring system was explained by them. The instruments like tool kit box, solar pyranometer, safety devices, G.I. structure was included in hands on training session.

Next day on 15th Dec. morning session was conducted by Dr. Kiran Deshpande followed by Dr. Pangavane, from Govt. College of Engineering Avasari. Dr. Kiran Deshpande at present working as Director School of Energy studies, SPPU, Pune has vast experience in solar field when he was working in Thermax Ltd. He shared his experience by taking case studies in his presentation. First he discussed about solar thermal and solar photovoltaic system- prospectus and challenges. Session was very interesting by referring the case studies like NTPC Ltd. Solar thermal hybrid system at Dadri, A bearing plant in Karnataka, Electric heating integration system at Nagpur, solar preheating of hybrid power plant etc.

Dr. Pangavane had given the presentation on solar dryer- scope, development and opportunities in the field of drying system. Some case studies and research areas in solar drying system he elaborated which was very useful for participants to do the research in renewable energy.

The post lunch session was conducted by Jayandra Wadhonkar, Manager Maharashtra Energy Development Agencies (MEDA), India, Pune about energy policy framework. The program ended with the distribution of certificates to the participants. Participants as well as students were benefitted by listing to the upcoming trends and expressed their willingness to explore these areas during their undergraduate, post graduate and Ph.D. research work. During the 2 days of workshop Prof. Mahadik and Prof. Jayashri Tambe coordinated all the sessions. This was first national workshop organized by Department of Mechanical Engineering ZCOER Pune it was well received by all the stake holders as a successful event. All faculty members had put whole hearted efforts to make this workshop a success.